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Creative Thinking skills -A Review article

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 Creative Thinking skills – A Review article
By: Ola W. A. Gafour , Walid A. S. Gafour

May, 2020

Abstract The main objective of this current research article aimed to provide more
information about creativity skills that are among the foremost sought-after life and work
skills within the 21st century as innovative thinking, problem-solving, or critical thinking
ability is that the critically preliminary ability of world citizens in diversified societies.
Human resource development in past years, therefore, stresses the promotion of creative
thinking ability, because the “brain” will substitute “strength” within the knowledge
economy era with fiercely international competition. Creativeness will make someone move
“sideways” to do different perceptions, different concepts, and different points of entry.
They will use various methods including provocations to unravel the issues. Creativeness
has much to try to with perception to place forward different views. The various views don't
seem to be derived each from the opposite but are independently produced. During this
sense, creativeness has got to do with exploration even as perception has got to do with
exploration.

1. Introduction
The world and society are advancing at a remarkable pace. We need to equip ourselves with
the ability to adapt to this trend, not to hold back. We can achieve great success by facing
challenges and responding to them with a new way of thinking and self-confidence. The ability
to apply creative thinking in both a digital and non-digital environment has become a
characteristic of successful people nowadays.
Information technology is rapidly developed in the 21st century, and innovative thinking,
problem-solving, or critical thinking ability is the critically preliminary ability of world citizens
in diversified societies. Human resource development in past years therefore stresses the
Creative Thinking skills

promotion of creative thinking ability, as the “brain” will substitute “strength” in the knowledge
economy era with fiercely international competition. Cheng-Shih Lin (2016).According to
Sternberg and Lubart (1996), creativity refers to the capacity for coping with a given problem
in authentic ways. Such capacity is about looking at a specific situation and problem from
different perspectives. Creativity is beyond creating out of nothing since a new idea or thought
is often a variation version of an older thought or a combination of thoughts known or possessed
previously. Thus, creativity can be defined as synthesizing previous thoughts and redefining
previous thoughts (Bessis 1973). Creativity is a basic skill included in all aspects of human
beings’ life and the evolution of human beings (San 1985). According to Torrance (1974),
creativity is “being sensitive to problems, insufficiencies, shortage of information, nonexistent
elements and incompatibility; identifying challenges, seeking for solutions, estimation and
hypothesizing or modifying hypothesizes in relation with insufficiencies, selecting and trying
one of the solutions, retrial, and concluding accordingly” (cited by Aslan 2001). Seeking an
answer to“What’s creativity?” Repucci found around 50-60 definitions in the literature in early
1960s (Parkhaust, 1999).
2. Methodology
This research is an integrative study as adopted the survey method. We will perform a
systematic review of the current literature on the Creative Thinking database to identify relevant
articles and will be supplemented by a review of the references of relevant articles identified.
3. Discussion
3.1. Creative Thinking
A definition of creativeness is defined as a way to seem at and solve problems from a
singular perspective, avoiding orthodox solutions and thinking outside the box. This creative
process allows you to discover connections, meet new challenges and seek resolutions that are
uncommon, original and new.

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Creative Thinking skills

Several consider that creative thinking techniques are built on experience and knowledge,
including Steve Jobs: Creativity is just concerning things. When you ask creative people how
they did something, they feel a little guilty because they did not really do it, they just saw
something. It seemed obvious to them after a while. That is because they were able to connect
experiences they have had and synthesis new things. Moreover, the reason they were able to do
that was that they had had more experiences, or they have thought more about their experiences
than other people have. After that, we have to understand that creative thinking is a skill we
need to improve primary on.
We have to be ready to break the patterns and traditional way of thinking to be ready to start
thinking in a creative way. The way that's go to facilitates you to create a brand new approach
to a selected situation or an issue. Starting with this method too soon guarantees more experience
as you learn from many various examples, as you become grownup.
So Creative thinking is:
A way of observing problems or situations from a fresh perspective that means unorthodox
solutions (which may look unsettling at first). Creative thinking are often stimulated both by an
unstructured process like brainstorming, and by a structured process like heuristic program.
Moreover, it can be mean observing something during a new way. It’s the very definition of
“thinking outside the box.” Often, creativity during this sense involves what's called heuristic
program, or the power to perceive patterns that aren't obvious. The fictional detective Sherlock
Holmes uses heuristic program in one famous story when he realizes that a dog not barking is a
very important suggest a murder case.
At the best level, “creative” means bringing into being something that was not there before and
has been brought into being. The word “creativity” covers a large range of various skills.
Creative skills needed to alter concepts and perceptions.

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Creative Thinking skills

In most descriptions of problem-solving, there's usually a step called “search for alternatives”.
This suggests that creativity is required during this step. Creativity is poorly understood and
difficult to show but there are positive techniques that everybody can learn. Edward de Bono
notes creative techniques like focus, challenge, alternatives, concepts, etc. De Bono, E. (1993).
Creativity should take its place alongside our other methods of handling information. Someone
sitting down with the deliberate intention of generating a concept in an exceedingly certain area
then proceeding to use an ingenious thinking technique systematically should represent a
traditional state of affairs
Creative thinking will make an individual move “sideways” to undertake different
perceptions, different concepts, and different points of entry. They will use various methods
including provocations to resolve the issues. Creative thinking has considerably to try to do
with perception to place forward different views. The various views are not derived each from
the opposite but are independently produced. During this sense, ability must do with
exploration even as perception must do with exploration.
Idea fluency is that the ability to come up with a large number of ideas from which to settle
on. Research has indicated that the more ideas one has the greater is that the likelihood of
finding a usable solution. Delaying evaluation of the ideas during the method of generating
ideas can facilitate idea fluency. Students can make notes, records their observations and
opinions of problems during thanks to assist within the process of idea fluency. A distinct way
of developing idea fluency is to use special times or locations during which students tend to
create a discussion during a creative way.
3.2. There are three aspects to creativity:

Defining the
Structure for Evaluation and
FocusDefining the
Creative Thinking Implementation
Focus

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Creative Thinking skills

A Defining the Focus

There is also problems that arise and identify themselves. Individuals make definite creative
focuses. There is also a noticeable creative need. Of these are ways within which creative
focuses can emerge.
B-Structure for Creative Thinking
Once the creative focus has been defined, it are often subjected to deliberate ability. This may
be done by groups, individuals, or a mix of both in a very discussion session among group
members. It often happens that the group that has the priority or problem will organize its own
deliberate ability session to tackle a combination.
C-Evaluation and Implementation
The group that has the creative focus might also be involved in evaluating the ideas that start
deliberate creative thinking. In such cases, the process is continuous. If the “thinking” group is
different from the “implementation” group, attention must be paid to the transfer of ideas so
those expected to act on the thought are brought in at an early enough stage to feel some
ownership within the new ideas. Learning with creativity is vital to be creative at each stage of
dialogue. The definition of a thinking task must be creative. The structure for applying the
thinking process must be creative. The output of the thinking effort must be creative. Finally,
the evaluation and implementation must be creative. Creative thinking needs a framework of
the appliance. Otherwise, students are not visiting find themselves in a very position where they
are expected to come up with new ideas. Regardless of how good the techniques maybe, if they
are not used, they are going to not achieve much. (Awang, and Ramly, 2008) also, they mention
that Problem-based learning (PBL) as an Instructional model that might encourage creativity
skills during the training process.

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Creative Thinking skills

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Creative Thinking skills

By using & Flowchart of Problem Solving Process (fig1) and SSCS (fig2) model specifically
for science instruction on the premise that for an issue to be meaningful to a student.

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Creative Thinking skills

3.3. Characteristics of creative thinkers include

a- They are communicators
Creativity and confidence are expressed in some ways through both listening and
communicating. This is often why creative thinkers are good communicators. Collaboration is
additionally important for this type of thinking, and good communication is crucial for work
performed as an element of a team.
b- They are open-minded
An open mind could be a mind that appreciates criticism, is prepared for brand new solutions
and concepts, and is not frightened of evaluating ideas. An individual who is open-minded is
willing to be told from both successes and mistakes, having the ability to grow and develop.
c- They are risk-takers
Exploring new ideas and techniques is impossible without risk-taking, as a willingness to face
challenges and accept change. Creative thinkers are resilient, and that they do not seem to be
terrified of taking an opportunity, knowing that one has to be brave when exploring innovative
and original ways of brooding about and solving problems. They know that leaving a
temperature is typically necessary to succeed, whether or not it means facing the unknown.
d- They are knowledgeable
To develop an understanding of things and situations, you would like a background story.
Knowledge allows creative thinkers to determine the total picture, which is why they know lots
about the world they add and that they are experts in what they are doing, and also the and what
they base their expertise on.
e- They are flexible
Abilities to adapt to changes and think outside the standard patterns are parts of creative
thinking, which is why being flexible could be a characteristic trait of creative thinkers. They

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Creative Thinking skills

welcome changes; they are not petrified of changing their method of labor, and that they are
good at working with others.
3.4. The main benefits of developing creative thinking include:
· Increase your self-confidence
· Solve problems more efficiently
· Earn respect
· Be an innovator
· Make a difference
· Be more successful at work
3.5. Creative thinking techniques
As an innovative way of approaching and analyzing ideas, creative problem solving became
an essential skill for the 21st century. Although some people might seem more creative than
others might, this skill is something that is developed and improved using various techniques
and practices.

 Brainstorming :
This technique includes thinking about something and putting down all the ideas that come to
your mind–regardless of how silly or unrelated they may seem initially. During this ocean of
ideas, you're guaranteed to find one which will stand out, one which will be tangible and
innovative. Used as a personal or medical practice, brainstorming could be a good way to
develop creativity and problem-solving. It encourages thinking during a different way and
exploring many options that may be applied therein situation. The more options come to your
mind, the potential you may need to find great ideas
 Mind mapping :
Mind mapping is that the process of connecting the dots. While brainstorming involves putting
all the ideas down as they are available to your mind, mind mapping is about arranging your

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Creative Thinking skills

thoughts, thinking during a logical way, using associations, recognizing patterns, and creating
an order. All that cluster of ideas from brainstorming should move in mind mapping. This
exercise engages both the left and right hemispheres of the brain; it encourages you to give some
thought to the connection between aspects and concepts. It also includes a positive influence on
organizational skills.
 Reframing :
Since reframing focuses on analyzing the identical situation or an issue from a unique
perspective, it is an excellent exercise for developing creative thinking. Reframing means
changing the frame of things, so you may have to examine an issue or a situation during a
different way, to be able to come up with a brand new, innovative approach. Explore other
meanings of things, analyze the context, spread the angle to identify new opportunities, and
expect potential obstacles. Again, this exercise and way of thinking are applicable in many
professions nowadays.
 Envisaging the future :
The goal of this exercise is to prepare your mind to anticipate the future supported the pictures
of today. Start with this situation. Regardless if you're using images or data to know it, try and
give some thought to the longer term and where you would like the future to require you.
Through this process, you’ll have to create bridges from present to future, and this can be where
creativity comes in useful, as ideas to beat gaps become solutions that may take you to the
required future and facilitate your achieve your goals.
 Role-play :
The technique of using role-play is a great way to vary the way you're thinking and explore true
from a special perspective. creative thinking encourages you to be open-minded, so when using
this method, you’ll try and consider true from the purpose of somebody else you wish to reframe
your way of thinking to determine a distinct perspective of things, to vary the attitude and find

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Creative Thinking skills

new solutions that reassess your limits and overcome your personal variety of problem-solving.
Assuming a replacement role encourages you to come back up with solutions that may not be
typical for you, but they're what you wish for creative problem-solving.
 Lotus blossom technique :
This technique includes initial with a central theme or problem and dealing external, using ever-
widening circles or "petals." Central themes cause ideas that themselves become central themes,
and then forth. The relating themes activate new ideas and new themes.

 COCD-Box:
The COCD (Centre for development of creative thinking) has developed an extremely handy
tool to select out ideas and stop loss. We necessity think of that at the structure of practically
each model change stood an 'impossible' or apparently 'unsuitable' idea. The COCD-box
assistances you to prevent the Crea-Dox: you're thinking that of agreeable new ideas, up till now

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Creative Thinking skills

you choose on the old ones (well-known resolutions) to prevent that, a classification can be
made employing a matrix: the COCD-box. The matrix has 2 axes:
a. Originality
b. Ease of implementation

 Hundred euro test :

Allocating points may be a relatively cold way of scoring ideas. Money is very important for
people than other things. The notion of paying money grabs their attention and that they are
rather more careful about deciding a way to allocate it. Attention on money also reminds people
of the ultimate goal of most creative and inventive activities: to create a profit and sustain the
business.
 Six thinking hats :
It is common technique created by Edward de Bono and could be used it in different types of
thinking and individuals would feel inhibited by taking these roles without prior legally. And

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Creative Thinking skills

we can use it to encourage more than other thinking processes. You can use it to discover ideas
when choosing which to take forward. And also you can explore how other people will react
when you try to go with your idea.
 Random input :
It is a lateral thinking tool that is very useful when you need new ideas or fresh viewpoints
during problem-solving Random input is a technique for connecting another thinking outline
into the one we are using. Besides with this new pattern derives all the knowledge you have
linked to it
 PINC filter :
Use the PINC (Positives, Intriguing, Negatives, Concerning) Filter when you have created a
number of ideas and you want to select those to move to the next step of development. Only use
the PINC filter after you have reduced the number of ideas to a very shortlist. Each PINC
valuation is not short, and evaluating many ideas would take more time.
 NUF (New Useful Feasible) test :
This test used when you want to quickly check that an idea that has been selected is likely to be
effective and work in practice. And you can use it when you want to be more creative,
developing the idea or getting something that you will be able to implement. So this type is a
very simple quick check that you can use and criteria are already selected in only three of them.
3.6. Top Creative Thinking Skills
 Analysis :
Before thinking creatively about something, you initially must be ready to know it. This needs
the flexibility to look at things carefully to know what they mean. Whether you're observing a
text, a data set, a lesson plan, or an equation, you would like to be ready to analyze it first.
 Open-Mindedness :

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Creative Thinking skills

Creativity involves thinking of things during a novel way within the context of the question.
You have got to line aside any assumptions or biases you'll have, and appearance at things
during a completely new way. By coming to an issue with an open mind, you permit yourself
the prospect to think creatively.
 Problem Solving
Employers don't simply want to rent creative people because they're impressive. They need
creative employees who will help them to resolve work-related issues. Therefore, when applying
for jobs, highlight your ability not only to think creatively but also to use your creativity to
resolve important problems.
 Organization :
This influence sound guess: aren't creative people known for being somewhat disorganized?
Really, the organization is a very imperative a part of creativity. While you may must get a
touch messy when trying out a brand new idea, you then must organize your ideas in order that
others are going to be ready to understand and follow through together with your vision having
the ability to structure an idea of action with clear goals and deadlines is important.
Communication :
People will only appreciate your creative idea or solution if you'll be able to communicate it
effectively to the people you're employed with (or to your clients or vendors). Therefore, you
would like to own strong written and auditory communication skills. Doyle (2019) you also
must be ready to understand a situation fully before thinking creatively about it. Therefore, you
furthermore may must be an honest listener. By asking the proper questions and understanding
the matter, you'll be able to come up with a singular solution.
3.7. Examples of Creative Thinking
Doyle (2019) found Opportunities for creative thought within the workplace vary from the
apparent artistic position to the highly technical one. Generally, anything that involves an “Aha”

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Creative Thinking skills

moment is taken into account creative. Here are some samples of the way to display power in
several jobs.
 Artistic Creativity :
You do not be an artist for your work to possess an inventive element. Perhaps you arrange retail
displays for optimum impact or shape the trail of an attractive hiking trail. Other creatively
professions maybe enclose designing logos, writing advertising copy, creating the packaging
for a product, or drafting a phone script for a fundraising drive. Creating a new fundraising script
for volunteers
 Composing dialogue for a television or radio commercial
 Creating an exam to test student knowledge
 Creating packaging for a product
 Designing a logo
 Devising a lesson plan that will engage students
 Proposing a new look for a clothing line
 Writing compelling copy for a print or online advertisement
 Creative Problem-Solving :
Creative problem-solving is considered innovative so a creative solver will find new solutions
in place of identifying and implementing the standard only. You would possibly brainstorm
new ways to cut energy use, find new ways to chop costs during a budget crisis or develop a
novel litigation strategy to defend a client. These all entail power on your part.
 Creativity in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) :
Some people think of science and engineering as the careful opposite of art and creativity.
However, the converse is real. The field of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math)
is highly creative .For example, designing a more efficient assembly line robot, writing an
innovative new computer program, or developing a testable hypothesis, are all highly creative

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Creative Thinking skills

acts. Actually, the history of science and technology is filled with projects that did not work,
not because of errors in technique or methodology, but because people remained, stuck in
their assumptions and old habits. The STEM field needs essential creativity in order to flourish
and grow.

3.8. Creative vs Critical Thinking

The Critical and creative functions of the mind are so interwoven that neither is separated
from the opposite without an important loss to both. Generally, creative thinking is correlated
with critical thinking and problem-solving. Actually, there are three dimensions of creative
thinking as synthesizing, articulation and imagination having the subsequent qualities
(Rhodes,1961; Sternberg, 2009)
1- Synthesising: It involves forming the old and new knowledge or expanding the present
knowledge with the assistance of the new one, constructing unusual relationships to supply
authentic solutions, and make thought concrete with the assistance of imagination and use of
the materials
2- Articulation: It involves forming the old and new knowledge or expanding the present
knowledge with the assistance of the new one, constructing unusual relationships to supply
authentic solutions, and make thought concrete with the assistance of imagination and use of
the materials
3- Imagination:
Imagination: This dimension is consisted of constructing a relationship between valid and
reliable thoughts, presenting flexible ways of thought with the assistance of imagination, to
return up with different insights during idea producing process.
Based on the scopes of the creative thinking, its general features can be listed as the following
(Gilhooly, Ball & Macchi, 2015; Kember & Leung, 2009; Liu, He & Li, 2015);

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Creative Thinking skills

➢ Flexibility
➢ Authenticity
➢ Multiple thinking
➢ Wondering
➢ Thinking fast and independent
➢ To be open to criticism
➢ Rationalism
➢ Being suspicious
➢ To come up with different solutions
➢ To realize and define the problem
➢ To suggest possible solutions
Certainly, critical thinking skills involve identification and analysis of informational sources for
credibility, indicating previous knowledge and making connections and deducing to conclusions
(Thurman, 2009). Presently, the general characteristics of critical thinking can be listed as the
following;
➢ Reasoning and suspecting
➢ Looking at situations from multiple perspectives and dimensions
➢ To be open to changes and innovations
➢ To look at thoughts without prejudices
➢ Being open minded
➢ Thinking analytically
➢ Paying attention to details

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Creative Thinking skills

Advantages of critical thinking;

➢ People who are critical thinkers think freely and independently
➢ People don’t behave without thinking
➢ Individuals can state the problem explicitly (Demirel, 2012).
In educational viewpoint both critical and creative thinking skills should be developed because
in each division of area, to analyze a discussion
 Creative thinking is described as:
• Making and connecting links to think of many possibilities
• Thinking and experiencing in various ways and use different points of view
• Thinking of new and unusual possibilities and giving guidance in generating and selecting
alternatives
 Critical thinking is described as:
• analyzing and developing possibilities to compare and contrast many ideas
• improve and refine ideas
• make effective decisions and judgments
• provide a sound foundation for effective action
 The Creative Process
Some other mockups have been planned, but one common theme is that the creative process
involves:
•Analysis (breaking down the problem/issue into smaller more easily understandable parts)
•Evaluation (determining whether an item or activity meets specified criteria)
•Imagination (forming images and ideas in the mind)
•Synthesis (combining existing ideas/concepts into something new)
 Critical and Creative Thinking Process

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Creative Thinking skills

• Both creative and critical thinking involve the use of high order thinking skills
• In the creative process one uses
• Creative thinking skills (synthesis and imagination) in the research and verification phases
• Critical thinking skills (analysis and evaluation) in the incubation and illumination phases
4. Conclusion
From this research, we could conclude that creativity skills are among the foremost sought-
after life and work skills within the 21st century as an innovative way of approaching and
analyzing ideas, problem-solving, or critical thinking, and this skill could be developed and
improved using various techniques and practices.

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Cheng-Shih Lin (2016) Effects of Web-Based Creative Thinking Teaching on Students’

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De Bono, E. (1993). Serious Creativity: Using the Power of Internal Thinking to Create New
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Demirel, Ö. (2012). Egitimde Program Gelistirme: Kuramdan Uygulamaya. Ankara: Pegem

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Doyle A. (2019). Creative Thinking Definition, Skills, and Examples.

https://www.thebalancecareers.com/creative-thinking-definition-with-examples-2063744.

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